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JACKSON, MI – The source of oil that leaked into the Grand River was traced back to Industrial Steel Treating Company, 613 Carroll Ave., near Ganson Street.

An investigation concluded the incident was accidental and the company will not face any penalties, according to Todd Knepper, director of the city's Department of Public Works.

Knepper said employees of the company were performing maintenance work on a piece of equipment outside the building Friday, May 16.

"They didn't get it put back together and some (oil) leaked out," Knepper said adding that the company immediately cleaned the oil from the outside of the building.

Company employees did not realize the oil had traveled across the sidewalk before running into a catch basin until they heard about oil being discovered in the Grand River, Knepper said.

Company officials immediately contacted the city to let them know the oil could have come from the Friday, May 16, incident at the company.

Tim Levy, the president of Industrial Steel Treating Company, said the company is in the process of reviewing and evaluating the circumstances of the oil spill.

"The company takes its obligations toward the local community and its business practices very seriously," Levy said in a statement, adding that he is not taking media inquiries until after the company has finished its investigation.

Knepper said officials from Industrial Steel Treating Company are cooperating with the city, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality officials and the Federal Environmental Protection Agency. The company will pay for some of the cleanup costs, which could reach $20,000. Knepper said the city has not been billed yet for cleanup, and it is not known exactly how much the company will shell out.

"Company officials have provided full cooperation to the remediation efforts," Knepper said.